Pod 1 of the 2025 National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance and Netting Pros is composed of two veteran programs, a second-year team, and a newcomer, making for the perfect storm to open up the NHSI. Both Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.) and Trinity Christian Academy (Lake Worth, Fla.) have at least two years of experience at the NHSI, combining for a 10-9 overall record at the event. Additionally, Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.) has a year under its belt and will return for its second campaign in 2025 while The Stony Brook School (Stony Brook, N.Y.) will have the chance to make a splash at the NHSI as the lone newcomer in Pod 1.
Regis Jesuit
Regis Jesuit returns to the NHSI for the first time since 2022. After a first round loss in the 2022 NHSI, Regis Jesuit finished the event strong with two wins by outscoring opponents 11-5. A year after finishing 22-8 and dropping in the state championship game, the Raiders are hungry for more. Hudson Alpert, who participated in USA Baseball’s 2024 16U/17U National Team Development Program, stands as the headliner for Regis Jesuit. Alpert, a Vanderbilt commit, brings plenty of high-stakes experience to the mound, pitching in the Raiders’ title game appearance. Outside of Alpert, Head Coach Matt Darr is confident that his side's pitching depth will carry them deep into the NHSI. Darr expects his team to have a strong showing in 2025 stating, “We have a lot of guys returning and they’re a really motivated group. The expectation for a great season is really high amongst our team. I’m excited to see how they compete.”
Trinity Christian Academy
Alongside Darr and the Raiders stands Trinity Christian Academy who also brings a wealth of experience to the NHSI. Trinity Christian will make the trip to Cary for the fourth time in program history, compiling a 6-6 overall record in three years at the event. The Conquerors first two stints came in 2016 and 2017 with their third appearance occurring in 2024, when they went 2-2. Hard-throwing right-hander Aaron Watson is one member of the 2024 squad that will return to Cary in 2025. Watson, a future Virginia Cavalier, slots in to be a big piece of Trinity Christians redemption tour after striking out seven batters through six frames in last year's NHSI. Head Coach Jon Murphy wants to build on last year and thinks this team has what it takes to move the program to the next level: “Last year was this group's first time at the NHSI and we were really heavy in the sophomore and junior classes. We only lost one arm and one position player due to graduation so we’re really excited about the team that we’re bringing back.”
Wesleyan Christian Academy
Like Regis Jesuit and Trinity Christian Academy, the Wesleyan Christian Academy Trojans had their own deep run in the state playoffs, falling just short of a title in the state championship game. The Trojans are led by a trio of Power 5 commits that includes two future ACC players. Soon-to-be Wake Forest Demon Deacon, Josh Hammond brings international experience to the table for Wesleyan Christian. Last season, Hammond was a member of USA Baseball’s 2024 18U National Team, helping the stars and stripes to a gold medal at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in Panama City, Panama. Miami commit Domaine Vann makes up the other half of the ACC pair who also brings prior NHSI experience to the table for his squad. In the 2024 edition, Vann batted .250 with a team-leading three singles to consistently pace the offense.
The Stony Brook School
The last team that rounds at Pod 1 is The Stony Brook School, which is set to make its first appearance at the NHSI with a loaded roster. The Bears lineup is solid, featuring seven DI commits along with two of the top freshmen in the country in their class and one of the top pitchers in the state in the sophomore class. Head Coach Jon Brewer’s team is coming off winning the 2024 New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) State Championship after going 18-5 on the year. To begin the 2025 slate, Vanderbilt commit Aiden Ruiz has been on a hot streak and will undoubtedly be at the top of the Bears’ order. Interestingly enough, 2021 12U National Team alum Julian Martinez is likely to slot in as their cleanup hitter as only a ninth grader. With a team full of DI commits and promising young talent, The Stony Brook School has the power to be a real contender in year one.
Matchup Breakdown
The opening matchup in Pod 1 stacks an NHSI-experienced program against an event newcomer, with Trinity Christian Academy squaring off against The Stony Brook School. Watson and the rest of Trinity Christian’s rotation will make it tough for the Stony Brook offense, but a lineup full of DI bats makes for plenty of action at the plate throughout the contest.
The second game in the pod features North Carolina’s Wesleyan Christian and Regis Jesuit out of the Sunshine State. Despite not having as many years of NHSI experience as Regis Jesuit, the Trojans have the roster and mentality to do some real damage at the tournament. Wesleyan Chrisitian has a multitude of options on the mound, returning four pitchers from last season's title game push which will be helpful in a fast-paced event like the NHSI. Despite Wesleyan Christian’s looming roster, Regis Jesuit has the confidence and depth to combat a lineup of the Trojan’s caliber.
